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MSOC Final Four 112424
1
Wis.-Eau Claire UIWEC (17-2-5, 5-0-1)
2
Winner Amherst AMHRST (14-2-4, 7-2-1)
Wis.-Eau Claire UIWEC
(17-2-5, 5-0-1)
1
Final
2
Amherst AMHRST
(14-2-4, 7-2-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wis.-Eau Claire UIWEC 0 1 1
Amherst AMHRST 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

#8 Amherst Outlasts #7 UW-Eau Claire 2-1 to Punch Final Four Ticket

EAU CLAIRE, WI — The #8 Amherst College men's soccer team took on the #7 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Bugolds today in the Elite Eight round of the 2024 Division III Men's Soccer Tournament. The Mammoths beat the Blugolds with a score of 2-1 to qualify for the Final Four in a few weeks' time. Amherst have now qualified for the Final Four for the third time in four years. 

Amherst now holds a 14-2-4 overall record (7-2-2 versus NESCAC opposition). The Mammoths will now head to Las Vegas, NV, for the Final Four. In the Semifinals, they will take on their NESAC rivals, the #3 Middlebury College Panthers, who they tied to 1-1 in the regular season. The match will take place on the Peter Johann Memorial Field at 6:30pm on Thursday, December 5.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Amherst struck first with a shot on target early in the match. In the sixth minute, senior Simon Kalinauskas connected on a corner kick and sent a strike toward the top-right corner, but Eau Claire goalkeeper Spencer Banks made a sharp save. After that, the game saw little action in terms of attempts on goal until the breakthrough came for the Mammoths.
  • Amherst's strength in set pieces paid dividends in the 36th minute. First-year Jacob Dinzeo delivered a left-footed corner from the right side, sending the ball curling into the box. An Eau Claire defender stationed near the front post got his head to it, but his clearance only found senior Fynn Hayton-Ruffner in space outside the left edge of the box. Hayton-Ruffner controlled the ball with his chest and volleyed it back into the crowded area with his left foot. Senior Simon Kalinauskas met it mid-air, volleying toward goal, but a deflection redirected the ball to senior Ben Clark-Eden. Positioned close to goal, Clark-Eden remained composed and volleyed the ball into the near side of the net, slipping it past both a defender and the scrambling goalkeeper. The Mammoths celebrated Clark-Eden's first goal of the season, giving them a crucial lead. The first half concluded 10 minutes later, with only two shots recorded, both favoring Amherst.
  • The second half started much like the first had ended, with minimal chances for either side. No shots were recorded in the opening 15 minutes of the period. However, as the match passed the hour mark, Amherst began ramping up their offensive pressure. Senior Niall Murphy and first-year Obed Opoku forced two saves from Banks, who kept Eau Claire in the game.
  • In a pivotal moment, first-year Mohammed Nuhu seized a loose ball near the touchline that many stopped and thought had crossed out of play. Driving toward goal, he drew a foul from Banks in a one-on-one, earning a penalty. Nuhu calmly converted, slotting the ball to the keeper's left to double Amherst's lead.
  • Eau Claire showed signs of life shortly after, forcing senior Max Landa to make his first save of the match three minutes after going 2-0 down. Moments later, they pulled a goal back. A long ball from deep by Alvaro Alanis reached Will Heinen, who headed it down for Porter Ball. Ball, positioned behind Amherst's defensive line, slotted the ball past an advancing Landa, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
  • Amherst, however, held firm in the final minutes, restricting Eau Claire to speculative, off-target efforts. Their experience and composure shone through as they expertly managed the closing stages, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory and booking their spot in the Final Four.
BY THE NUMBERS: 
  • Amherst had 5 shots (5 on goal); Eau Claire had 3 (2 on goal).
  • Amherst committed 14 fouls; Eau Claire made 9.

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